"But, so suddenly, without any preparation. What guarantee have you that he--?"
"As good a guarantee at least," interrupted Gertrude, now pale to the lips, "as I should have had if I had accepted Lieutenant von Lowenberg's proposal the other day."
"Yes, yes, she is right there, mamma," said Jenny.
"Oh, of course!" was the reply, "I am to say yes and amen at once. But I must speak to Arthur first and to Aunt Pauline and Uncle Henry. I will not take the responsibility of such a step on myself alone in any case."
"Mamma, you will not go asking the whole neighborhood," said the young girl, in a trembling voice. "It only concerns you and me, and--" she drew a long breath--"I shall hardly change my mind in consequence of any representations."
"But Arthur could make inquiries about him," interrupted Jenny.
"Thank you, Jenny, I beg you will spare yourself the trouble. My heart speaks loudly enough for him. If I had not known my own mind weeks ago, I should not be standing before you as I am now."
"You are an ungrateful and heartless child," sobbed her mother. "You think you will conquer me by your obstinacy. Your father used to drive me wild with just that same calmness. It makes me tremble all over only just to see those firmly closed lips and those calm eyes. It is dreadful!"
Gertrude remained standing a few minutes, then without a word of reply she left the room.
"It is a speculation on his part," said Mrs. Jenny, carelessly, "there is no doubt of that."
"And she believes all he tells her," sobbed the mother. "That unlucky christening was the cause of it all. She is so impressed by anything of that sort."
"And now she will just settle down forever at that wretched Niendorf, for there is no turning her when she has once made up her mind."
"Heaven forgive me, she has the Baumhagen obstinacy in full measure; I know what I have suffered from it."
"This Linden is handsome," remarked Jenny, taking no notice of the violent weeping. "Goodness, what a stir it will make through the town! She might have taken some one else. But did I not always tell you, mamma, that she was sure to do something foolish?"
"Arthur!" she cried to her husband who had just come in, "just fancy, Gertrude has engaged herself to that--Linden."